Caravans and pop-top campers

**geoffm** · 24th February 2008, 10:48

Now, you have all been held up by them so I am sure everyone has an opinion...
As a kid, we had tents and then a caravan, and we had some great holidays and great memories. I want the same for my offspring. I have also decided that I need to have holidays away form home after last Christmas, where 2 weeks off wasn't long enough, and I was more tired at the end than the beginning. I need to get away to unwind.
sooo, being skint, the options are slim, and we only have a 2.2l Camry to tow a caravan with (or a 2.4l diesel Hiace), and no money and limited storage space. There are a number of "campomatic" and simialr poptop caravans around - fiberglass roof, canvas sides - basically a tent on wheels, with an awning. The going rate seems to be around $2.5k with varying amounts of work required. Anyone have any experiences with them? Know any for sale?
I can do canvas work, as I have the big sewing machine, but would rather avoid a complete refurb to start with, as it would be time consuming and materials aren't free.
Geoff

**FJRider** · 24th February 2008, 11:05

Rent one for a week or so to see if your memory relates to reality. if its what you still want...

**CookMySock** · 24th February 2008, 11:34

How old are your kids ? Buy them a $69 tent each, and a slightly bigger one for you and mum. Take the hilux (4WD?) and go bush and light a fire and do some real camping. One better, get a little boat and explore up the back of a lake somewhere and do some night bushwalks.

DB

**Trudes** · 24th February 2008, 12:59

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

How old are your kids ? Buy them a $69 tent each, and a slightly bigger one for you and mum. Take the hilux (4WD?) and go bush and light a fire and do some real camping. One better, get a little boat and explore up the back of a lake somewhere and do some night bushwalks.

DB

Agreed, less pissing about with warrants and regos and tyres etc etc, pitch a tent and rough it!

**MaxB** · 24th February 2008, 13:23

It kind of depends on how adaptable or bush wise your family is. Totally agree with hiring a caravan or pop top to try it out.

Caravans give you the most luxury and weather protection but do you camp in winter? Pop tops are a good compromise you have cooking and bar fridge facilities but still is lightweight.

But really you can throw most things you need in the back of a wagon or ute and if the weather turns to crap you would be amazed at how many you can fit into a car if you have to!

My kids are bush friendly but as my oldest girl has gotten older she is turning into a girly girl so we dont go camping like we used to. It is still great fun though and good for families.

**JimO** · 24th February 2008, 13:34

we freedom camp at Lake Aviemore and have a decent caravan plus the boys all have their own tents, pop tops are ok but i prefer a bit of room. we leave the camp set up from labour weekend to easter
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...7/DSC00614.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...7/DSC00613.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...7/Jimsboat.jpg

**Animal** · 24th February 2008, 13:50

I'd agree that hiring a caravan for a weekend should be your first step. You may discover that towing the bloody thing is a more nerve-wracking and unpleasant experience for you than it is frustrating for the buggers you're holding up.

Like you, I spent many years as a kid going out once a month with the folks on camping weekends. It's only years later that I realised that my caravan memories as a kid were that positive because it wasn't me doing the driving, and wearing the abuse from frustrated road-users. It's now no longer a mystery why my dad couldn't wait to get into the booze after we'd reached the campsite!

In my opinion, caravans are great - when they're not on the road. Parked at a campsite, all set up and ready for the first bbq - great. Murdering the car's engine on a winding, narrow, 15-degree upill slope with dozens of infuriated road-users behind you - not so great.

**JimO** · 24th February 2008, 16:54

Originally Posted by Animal

I'd agree that hiring a caravan for a weekend should be your first step. You may discover that towing the bloody thing is a more nerve-wracking and unpleasant experience for you than it is frustrating for the buggers you're holding up.

Like you, I spent many years as a kid going out once a month with the folks on camping weekends. It's only years later that I realised that my caravan memories as a kid were that positive because it wasn't me doing the driving, and wearing the abuse from frustrated road-users. It's now no longer a mystery why my dad couldn't wait to get into the booze after we'd reached the campsite!

In my opinion, caravans are great - when they're not on the road. Parked at a campsite, all set up and ready for the first bbq - great. Murdering the car's engine on a winding, narrow, 15-degree upill slope with dozens of infuriated road-users behind you - not so great.

well i tow my 18ft6 caravan with a new deisel hilux, 90ks s the limit for towing and i set the cruse at that and am constantly held up by people in cars dawdling along the 80ks, if you find towing a nervewracking experience perhaps you should hand in your licence, towing is part of driving in NZ unless your a limp wristed latte sipping jaffa

or aussie

**Maha** · 24th February 2008, 17:00

Originally Posted by geoffm

Now, you have all been held up by them so I am sure everyone has an opinion...
As a kid, we had tents and then a caravan, and we had some great holidays and great memories. I want the same for my offspring. I have also decided that I need to have holidays away form home after last Christmas, where 2 weeks off wasn't long enough, and I was more tired at the end than the beginning. I need to get away to unwind.
sooo, being skint, the options are slim, and we only have a 2.2l Camry to tow a caravan with (or a 2.4l diesel Hiace), and no money and limited storage space. There are a number of "campomatic" and simialr poptop caravans around - fiberglass roof, canvas sides - basically a tent on wheels, with an awning. The going rate seems to be around $2.5k with varying amounts of work required. Anyone have any experiences with them? Know any for sale?
I can do canvas work, as I have the big sewing machine, but would rather avoid a complete refurb to start with, as it would be time consuming and materials aren't free.
Geoff

There is the option of renting one, one that is already onsite.
Per night fee is $25 for the Caravan plus camp fee's.
We camp every year at Ruakaka, and there are Caravans offsite at the camp that are rented out. Its a great option when all you have to is turn up with you gear/food and relax.

**FJRider** · 24th February 2008, 17:05

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

How old are your kids ? Buy them a $69 tent each, and a slightly bigger one for you and mum. Take the hilux (4WD?) and go bush and light a fire and do some real camping. One better, get a little boat and explore up the back of a lake somewhere and do some night bushwalks.

DB

For less than half the price of a pop top, you can get two or three GOOD dome tents (more room inside them) without the rego etc, and fold dow to bugger all.Buy / borrow an ordinary trailer to carry the gear and would be more rugged to tow than the pop top

**kevfromcoro** · 24th February 2008, 17:56

had a poptop for a while..can highly recomend them..easy to tow.had a tinny on the thing.when we got to campsite..just poped it up and all our gear was there..knives forks..clothes. gas.and they are up of the ground if it rains.
yes i would get another one...just one thing..they are cold in the winter.. make sure it doesnt leak...

happy holiday KEV

**shaneh** · 24th February 2008, 18:34

We've got a camp-o-matic which folds opens backwards and creates a tent you can almost stand in and will take two double beds. It goes up in about 1 min, seriously. Weights nothing, easy to tow. Wooden floor. When closed up steel frame and wooden floor on the top allows you to tie a small boat or bikes and stuff on top as well. Yours for $1k.

**Mom** · 24th February 2008, 18:45

Originally Posted by geoffm

As a kid, we had tents and then a caravan, and we had some great holidays and great memories. I want the same for my offspring.

All I can say to you is DO IT!!! I never got the family holiday thing as I grew up so it was really important for me that my kids got them. I learned to love camping when I was a Girl Guide (shut up you knockers!) My kids have had the camping experience since they were really little, potty trained the youngest at camp

Due to the life/shit happens mix there were a few years that I could not take them away, but as soon as I could off we went again.

It simply is the best thing you can do for your kids!

As others have said it does not need to be an expensive thing to do, there are very many levels of "camping". If you want to give it a try, send me a PM, we have a friend that rents out her caravan for nominal money at one of the most lovely places on earth

**Finn** · 24th February 2008, 18:50

Originally Posted by jimjim

we freedom camp at Lake Aviemore and have a decent caravan plus the boys all have their own tents, pop tops are ok but i prefer a bit of room. we leave the camp set up from labour weekend to easter

Tell the truth, that's your permanent address isn't it jedjed?